Fishing rod



J. T. WELCH FISHING ROD Aug. 9, 1932.

Patented Aug. 9, 1932 asians JACK T. WELCH, or .nowAGIAd MICIIIGAnAssIGNon 'roJAMEs HnnnoNs sons, or ,l

nowAGIAC, MICHIGAN, A ConronAIIoNfor MICHIGAN FISHING Ron Application filed December 29, 193D. Serial No. 505,314.

l or other material, it is commonly found that the weakest place where breakage is most apt to occur is close to the ends of the ferrules which are applied to the joined rod sections. If the rod splits 0r breaks, as sometimes happens under stress, the owners misfortune will, in all probability, be aggravated by loss of the fish whose struggles may have occasioned the mishap. A sportsman, in particular, demands a. high grade rod having 2@ both a considerable flexibility and adequate strength, and is easily dissatisfied if deficient in either respect. It is with a view to strengthening the rod in its weakest places, that it is adjacent the ferrules at the ioints,

that the present invention has been devised.

In the accompanying drawing is illustrated a suggestive exempliiication of my invention in the manner following:

Figure l is a view in elevation of a portion of a jointed fishing rod showing the connected ends of two adjacent sections thereof:

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 2 2 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section showing` the application of a reinforcing sleeve over the end of one ferrule and theadjacent portion of the rod section.

.55 of the rod section B is a ferrule F extending beyond the rod end to form a socket wherein may be received the male ferrule M which is applied over the adjoining end of the rod way, as by cement or Va Vcross pinV (not shown). The ferrule ends which are remote from each other are desirably, although not necessarily, tapered down toward the surface of the rod sections whereon they are mounted.- Also, as is common practice, the ferrules may be serrated bythe provision of longitudinal slots 4: at their tapered ends, thereby forming relatively flexible tongues at the ends of the ferrules. It has been found that such a construction tends to greater strength in the zone of each ferrule where breakage 1s most apt to occur.

Although numerous expedients have been adopted to strengthen the rodinV the region of each ferrule end, a weakness at such points still persists. Under stress, the rod will flex,

as is intended, but at the'juncture of the fer- `rules with the ends of theV rod sections, this fleXation is hampered. To strengthen the rod atV such points, I apply thereto sleeves S which are'fltted closely over the rod and slid into position over the ends of the ferrules that are mounted thereupon.

The sleeve construction which I have found' entirely'suitable forthe purposes of this invention is desirably made of some such material as has a ycellulose base-pyralin, Vfor l example. As shown in the drawing, one end of the sleeve is required to ride over the end 'of the associated ferrule for a. slight distance,

and in doing so it becomes firmly positioned in place. `If desired, circumferential windings 6 of silk or other material, such as commonly `surround a fishing rod, may be applied over each sleeve at one point.y to assist in securing it in position. By so shaping the sleeve that one or both ends are tapered down close to the associated parts, as suggested in the drawing, it will present a smooth and inconspicuous appearance. c

i There is a. particular advantage resulting fromV the use o-f a reinforcing sleeve having a cellulose base with a rod made of bamboo, wood, or libre, such as is commonly used by Sportsmen. Bamboo, in particular, is a material which tends to dry and shrink with age.

'5D cured to its associated rodV section in the usual section A. Each ferrule may be tight-ly se` Ametallic ferrule applied to a rod section of such material tends in consequence to'loosen 1.00

its connection therewith as the rod shrinks. A sleeve ,of the kind specified applied over Y both the rod and ferrule tends also to shrink with age, thereby maintaining its secure anchorage With-each. In securing the sleeve 1n place, it may be desirabletorender the sleeveA plastic by the application thereto .of a proper solvent, such as amylacetate, thereby conducing to a firm adhesion between thesleeve and both the rod 'and ferrule `The ysleeve so applied is posessed of sufficient flexibility 'to v give as required when the rod is flexed, and

ous surface applied circumferentially to the rod.

7. A shing rod having a shrinkable body upon the surface of which is mounted a metallic fitting over part of which is arranged va sleeve kapplied circumferentially to the rod,

the sleeve being formed of a contractible material to maintain ai tight connection with the rod as Vit shrinks. Y, g Y JACK T. WELCH."

so isadmirably adapted as a joint reinforce.-

ment. j Y It will be apparent from the preceding description that mv invention provides not only a reinforcement at the joint between a ferrule and rod section, but also a means for enhancthe secure yconne-ction of the ferrule to the rod. 'The likelihood fof rod breakage, when the reinforcing `means of this invention is used, is considerably reduced, and this result is attained Without in any 'degree impairing lthe flexibility of the nod. f

I claim:

l. A'ishing rod comprising joined sections having their connected ends mounting telescoping ferrules the remote ends whereof are tapered down to a diameter closely approxi- :mating that of the associa-ted rod, .and contractable reinforcing sleeves kof flexible niaback along the rod section a desired distance, 7

and an integral durably ieontractible flexible sleeve having a continuons surface united to both the ferr-nie and rod section and covering the joint therebetween.

4. A iishingrod comprising joined sections having their connected ends mounting telescoping ferrules the Walls whereof are rendered flexible in one portion, and an .integral reinforcing durably contractible sleeve of tlexiible material having a continuous surface applied closely over the flexible portion of the ferrnle `and .adjacent portion of the rod.

5. A fishing rod in kwhich is comprised a iiexi'ble section to be joined to others, a ferrule applied over .and secured to one end of the section, and a sleeve haviing a Icellulose hase applied over and seen-red to both :the ferrule and rod .section in their joinder zone.`

6. A shing rod having an exterior fitting over part of which is arranged a durably selfcontracting flexible .sleeve having a continu- 

